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Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate: Our most recommended tours and activities

Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour

1. Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour

Discover a different side of Chicago on a family-friendly guided tour and hear the tales of the ghosts, and gangsters, that haunt the city. Explore the Chicago South Loop district with your historian guide, uncovering the many mysteries hidden behind every turn. Meet your guide in the heart of the Chicago South Loop, known as a notorious vice district during the 1920s and 30s. Stroll through his now upmarket area of the city which was once home to underground speakeasies, secret tunnels, and bootleggers. Hear the true stories of Chicago's bloody past and the gangsters who caused havoc in the city. See the places notorious figures such as Al Capone used to party, make deals, and carry out "business". You will also enjoy a short rest stop at a famous former gangster hangout. Discover the legends of the ghosts that are said to lure along the Chicago Riverwalk and the aptly named Death Alley. Stop at haunted locations including Palmer House, and the Chicago Theatre, before finishing with a visit to the Congress Hotel, one of the most haunted places in Illinois.

Chicago: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour

2. Chicago: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Sightseeing Tour

Experience the Windy City with our hop-on, hop-off double-decker sightseeing bus tour, or a panoramic sunset tour. Marvel at the stunning skyscrapers of Chicago, including the iconic John Hancock Center, the towering Willis Tower, and the historic Wrigley Building. Our engaging and professional digital commentary will provide you with fascinating facts and insights into Chicago's rich history as you explore the city's most impressive landmarks. Hop on and off as many times as you want to visit attractions such as the world-renowned Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History. Marvel at stunning Lake Michigan, see the skyline from 360 CHICAGO, or take a stroll on the renovated Chicago Riverwalk. When you're ready, Big Bus will be back to pick you up. Download our free app for real-time bus tracking. Travel along the famous Magnificent Mile, considered one of the world's great avenues, to shop 'til you drop at the many flagship stores along the boulevard. Then cross over the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the Chicago River. With our convenient stops located throughout the city, it's easy to cruise through The Windy City without needing to navigate traffic or public transportation. Choose between a 24 or 48-hour ticket, and take your time discovering all that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago: Favorite Foods Guided Walking Tour

3. Chicago: Favorite Foods Guided Walking Tour

Combine an enjoyable walk around Chicago's downtown to see some of the city’s top sites with stops to sample some of the city’s famous tastes. On this 2.5-hour guided walk, you'll get to taste the foods Chicago is best known for inventing and doing right. Enjoy deep-dish pizza, the original recipe brownie, a Chicago-style hot dog, and a classic Italian beef sandwich. Enjoy a VIP craft beer sample for an additional fee (offered upon arrival). Along the way, you’ll see some of Chicago's most iconic spots including the Magnificent Mile, the Wrigley Building, Chicago Threatre, Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, the Art Institute, and the world famous Bean. By the end of the tour, your stomach will be full of delicious food and your head will be full of fascinating knowledge about Chicago. During the colder months, the tour makes use of the unique underground Pedway system that connects much of downtown and keeps you warm and cozy. On warmer days, you’ll walk at street level to enjoy the large promenades of the loop. The leisurely walking pace is suitable for people of all fitness levels.

Chicago: City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture Cruise

4. Chicago: City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture Cruise

Start with a pickup from most downtown Chicago hotels. Board your climate-controlled minibus and embark on your guided sightseeing tour. Begin in the heart of downtown Chicago, at The Loop. Here you'll see incredible architecture, including the world's first skyscrapers. You'll even go inside one that features a beautiful lobby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  The stop also includes views of The Chicago Board of Trade and the Willis (Sears) Tower. After The Loop, head through Grant Park, which is known as the city's front yard. The centerpiece of the park is the Buckingham Fountain. Museum Campus is up next, with three museums, Soldier Field, and the most spectacular skyline views in the city. After a 10-minute photo stop, travel past Millennium Park, featuring The Bean, before heading up north along Wacker Drive, which parallels the Chicago River. Arrive in the fancy Gold Coast nightlife area and residential neighborhood - one particularly interesting sight here is the original Playboy Mansion.  Then, take a trip through part of Lincoln Park, and end the tour by zipping along Lake Shore Drive, past beaches, and old mansions, before being dropped off at your hotel. For those wanting the ultimate Chicago experience, add on the option of the world-famous architecture cruise of Chicago. After your minibus tour and a short break, climb aboard a state-of-the-art cruise vessel for a 75-minute cruise of all three branches of the Chicago River. Marvel at the architecture that has made the city so legendary. Gain insights into the buildings and engineering of a city that gave birth to the skyscraper and is the spiritual home of modern American architecture. An expert guide will lead you down the Chicago River to uncover hidden gems, as well as the city’s most renowned landmarks, such as the John Hancock building and more.

Eastside Chicago: Outdoor Escape Game

5. Eastside Chicago: Outdoor Escape Game

Start the adventure at The Art Institute of Chicago. It will take you between 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and you can also explore at your own pace. Pause the game and resume anytime from the location where you paused it. You will finish at the Fountain of the Great Lakes. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. So, are you up for an exciting city game? After your booking, you will receive an email on how to download the game to your phone. You can play on your own, in a large group, or in several smaller groups that compete against each other and meet at the final stop of the game. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to download and play the city game on their phones. Alternatively, each person can make their own purchase.

Chicago: Small-Group Night Tour w/ Skydeck & Skyline Cruise

6. Chicago: Small-Group Night Tour w/ Skydeck & Skyline Cruise

Immerse yourself in Chicago’s distinct skyline with bold skyscrapers and incredible views of Lake Michigan illuminated at night on this city tour. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to Willis Tower, and a scenic Chicago skyline cruise. After getting picked up from your Downtown Chicago hotel, hop in your Mini van and travel to your first stop, Willis Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Take the elevator all the way up to the 103rd floor of the tower, where you can enjoy 360-degree views spanning 50 miles and 4 states. Get your adrenaline pumping at The Ledge – a glass balcony extending 4.3 feet outside the building which provides a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Once your feet are back on solid ground, take to the water for a skyline cruise to see the beauty of Chicago's world-famous skyscrapers lit up by the moonlight and bustling city lights. Enjoy a boat tour passing by over 40 Chicago iconic landmarks. You will also get to see the infamous Chicago Bean (also known as Cloud Gate), Anish Kapoor’s first public outdoor work installed in the United States. At the end of your tour, your guide will take you back to your downtown Chicago hotel.

Chicago: Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

7. Chicago: Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! NOTE: This 1-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Millennium Park in 20-30 Minutes. On this self-guided walking tour where your phone is your personal guide, explore Millennium Park’s best sights and dive into some of Chicago’s little-known history along the way. This tour has been developed by local guides, creative writers, and professional voice artists. Begin your tour at the park’s north end, by Harris Theater for Music and Dance. From there, simply follow the audio instructions and the route via the app that will be your guide, narrator, and map in one. Head south toward the Pritzker Pavilion while learning some background on how the park came into existence. As an added perk, most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms. Once at the impressive pavilion, learn about the vast array of performances held here and the high-tech design which makes it all possible, as well as the man behind it: Jay Pritzker. Get the full story on this precocious kid who went from building model cities out of his grandfather’s scrap wood to designing some of the most famous structures in the country. As you continue, you’ll come to the park’s so-called Secret Garden. Take a stroll along a peaceful boardwalk surrounded by plant life and listen to the little-known symbolism behind the garden’s design. Pause for a fantastic look at Chicago’s skyline before heading past the Art Institute of Chicago and ending up at the astonishing Crown Fountain. Get familiar with the intricately detailed face towers of the fountain, then head north toward Chicago’s most famous sculpture. At last, arrive at Cloud Gate, known by the locals as The Bean. Learn about the artist behind it as well as the technique he used to create such a huge, smooth surface. At the end of your tour, don’t forget to snap some surreal pictures of your reflection.

Chicago: Full-Day or Half-Day Bike Rental

8. Chicago: Full-Day or Half-Day Bike Rental

Chicago proudly ranks as the country’s best city for cycling because of its flat terrain, miles of bike trails, and interconnected neighborhoods, parks, and attractions. Your bike rental starts in the heart of Chicago’s 20-mile Lakefront Bike Trail, near Navy Pier. Choose between a full-day bike rental or a 4-hour bike rental to explore Chicago at your own pace. You’ll receive a helmet, a bike lock, and a detailed map to help you easily navigate your way around the city. Enjoy biking to a variety of attractions and create your own sightseeing itinerary to fit in with your family's interests. Start cycling along the shores of Lake Michigan for gorgeous views of Navy Pier, featuring family-friendly attractions, entertainment, shopping and dining. Continue to Millennium Park, a lively gathering spot that's home to Cloud Gate. Stop here to take a photo of yourself reflected in the mirror of this famous bean-shaped sculpture. Further south, you’ll find Grant Park, whose Buckingham Fountain stands tall as one of the largest fountains in the world. Just South of there lies Museum Campus, a 57-acre park on Lake Michigan that’s home to the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History, as well as the Soldier Field football stadium. Alternatively head north to Lincoln Park, a large lakeside community and park home to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Entrance is free, so you can hop off your bike to explore some amazing animal exhibits. Of course, you can’t miss Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs play.

Chicago: Private Helicopter Tour of Chicago Skyline

9. Chicago: Private Helicopter Tour of Chicago Skyline

Take in the Windy City from the air and feel the thrill of flying on this panoramic helicopter ride. Admire the best views of Chicago's major landmarks, including its famous skyscrapers, the Chicago River, and Navy Pier. Choose from a 10 or 20 minute flight option. Climb aboard a private helicopter and allow your professional pilot to take you to Chicago's major landmarks, such as Downtown Chicago, Willis Tower, The United Center, Navy Pier, and Soldier’s Field. Bring your camera along to capture these mesmerizing sights. Experience the city in a unique way and feel what it's like to soar through the sky. Celebrate an anniversary, enjoy a special date night, or create beautiful memories with family.

Chicago: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

10. Chicago: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Note: This 3+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Chicago Bundle in 2-3 hours. Once downloaded, your tour through Millennium Park will begin at the park’s north end. From there, you’ll walk toward the famous Pritzker Pavilion, the park’s centerpiece. Once at the pavilion, you’ll learn about the biggest performances held here, the high-tech design, and the man behind it all: Jay Pritzker. Next you’ll see the park’s “Secret Garden,” a beautiful green space featuring a peaceful boardwalk and fantastic skyline views. After that, you’ll spot the Art Institute of Chicago and continue on to the incredible Crown Fountain, known for its intricately detailed “face towers.” At last, you’ll arrive at Cloud Gate, known by the locals as “The Bean” (but don’t tell the artist)! Get to know the wacky artist behind it, find out how he created such a huge, smooth surface, and don’t forget to snap some pictures of your reflection! The Millennium Park tour concludes here. Your Riverwalk tour begins by the historic DuSable Bridge. Here, you’ll learn not only about this picture-perfect bridge, but also about the iconic Wrigley Building. From there, you’ll stroll west along the riverside, past what was once voted America’s Most Beautiful Bridge. After that, you’ll stop at the Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a moment of somber reflection. The next stop is hard to miss: It’s the Marina Towers, looming 600 feet over the river. Find out why people say these towers are a “city within a city,” then keep walking to the Dearborn Street Bridge. Hear the full story of why an angry mob once descended on this bridge with axes, then continue your stroll. As you walk, your audio guide will also recount the tale of one of the deadliest shipwrecks in American history… which took place right on the Chicago River! Up next is the humbly-named (but not so humbly designed) Merchandise Mart. This gorgeous example of the art deco style is sure to pique the interest of any budding architects! Next, you’ll reach Wolf Point, where, nearly 200 years ago, Chicago’s very first hotel once stood. Then you’ll get a good look at the Tribune Tower, home to the famous Chicago Tribune. This skyscraper also contains pieces of historic buildings from across the world, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Berlin Wall! After that, you’ll come face to face with NBC’s Chicago headquarters, which look suspiciously like the iconic 30 Rockefeller Center in the Big Apple… because it was modeled after that iconic skyscraper! Finally, you’ll stop by the last bridge separating the Chicago River from the great lake beyond. It’s a great place to admire the scenery, and an even better one to snap some photos for your Insta. The Riverwalk tour concludes here. This bundle is the easiest, most flexible way to see the Windy City. So what are you waiting for?

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What people are saying about Cloud Gate

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,413 reviews

Awesome tour with an awesome guide ! Baylor’s enthusiasm and friendliness really sold it and she even managed to give me goosebumps with the way she told some of the stories! :)

Our guide Ty was super cool and handled the whole tour well. I'll definitely tell all my friends who visit Chicago to take this tour.

It was a very fun tour and we learned a lot about the city that we didn't know before. Lizzie was an excellent guide!

Conor was very knowledgeable and the tour was a great pace with lots of info!

Just a super time eating great food and learning some local history.